Bismarck Sibaja (a.k.a. DJ BIS)
Hometown: Originally from Costa Rica, now Newark
Occupation: DJ
Age: 29
Web site: www.djbis.com or Myspace.com/djbis
Background: Bis got his start doing house parties, and is now playing several gigs a week in Delaware, Philadelphia and Atlantic City, with the help of his fiancee and manager Kristen Lober.
You can catch DJ Bis at the Spark Party on Friday, Jan. 30, of course. You can also find him regularly on Wednesday nights at Pat's MVP in Newark with conga player Danny Acosta, at Kildare's in Newark on Thursday nights and at C.W. Harborside on Friday nights. If you're going to be in Atlantic City on Feb. 21, he'll be there, playing at Cuba Libre.
How did you get started being a DJ?
Like most DJs, I had always had an interest in music, since I was back in Costa Rica. At high school dances I would just stand by the DJ and watch in awe. I had a Fisher Price turntable, and was collecting CDs, but didn't have the tools. So [after I came to Newark], I went to Rainbow and bought two records, and scratched on my Fisher Price turntable. Before that, the way I used to scratch was that I had a nylon backpack, and I would scratch back and forth with my fingernail to the beat. The records from Rainbow were how I got started. I was doing both formats, CDs and records, and started doing house parties. I was lucky enough to be with an American family that cared enough to help me get started.
What would you do to improve the nightlife scene in Delaware?
The number one thing that needs to happen is longer hours. We gotta be open until at least two. Everyone looks elsewhere, I believe, because we close at one. Not only is that keeping people from coming out, but keeping people who want to invest in the nightlife away. They think Delaware? No. Especially Wilmington. Can you imagine if they were open until two? All their dreams of revitalization would come true. People would come from Newark just to go out there.
You also DJ a lot in Atlantic City and Philly. Is that a lot different from when you DJ in Delaware?
People in Atlantic City have a different mindset when they go to party. They're there to party, and to spend money. They're tipping you to play music. A lot of people from Philly and New York have a different view of music, and are more in touch with the whole DJ thing. It makes me want to get people locally to understand what a DJ is supposed to do.
And that is?
A DJ is not just a guy in a booth playing song after song. An iPod could do that. A good DJ is the kind of guy that gets his hands dirty, changes a song, but in a way that it's recognizable and still danceable. Remixing music live.
Do you have a set playlist when you go to a gig?
Some DJs go to a place to do what they're planning to do and that's it. DJ AM, sure he's an awesome DJ, but he has a party rockin' set, goes and plays that. He can get away with that. I can't when I'm playing in a town where I play three nights a week. I see the same people. Some nights, I'm in the mood for rock, so I play that. And people hear that and think, is that the same guy from the other night?
What can we expect from you at the Spark Party?
I will be making a mix CD, and will give it out to the first 250 people, so get there early. A good crazy time is what I'm going for, every time I do a party. Let loose. It's fun when you can let go, like when you're dancing in front of your mirror with your jam on. Alcohol helps, but I've always been able to do that without drinking, which I think comes from the Latin culture. Just relax and trust your DJ. Let go and let him take you.
Top 5 current fave songs
1. "Pussy" Nadastrom
2. "I'm Not Leaving (Original Mix)" DJ Bam Bam feat. Bear Who?
3. "Gladiator" Autoerotique
4. "Buzzin (AC Slater Remix)" Shwayze
5. "Hustlin' (Paul Anthony & ZXX Remix)" Rick Ross
